At this time of year, when children (and adults alike) are making their wish lists for Santa or contemplate what they want to change in the New Year, there are many types of lists to consider. There are the gift ideas list, the ‘who’s coming to our holiday dinner’ list, the stores and chores list, the grocery list, and the personal improvement list…just name a few.

As you’re making your lists and checking them twice, considering adding or improving a non-interest revenue stream for your credit union. There are a few ways in which to satisfy this wish, and one may be easier than you thought. Have you considered an overdraft protection program?

Cheryl Lawson, EVP-Compliance Review with John M. Floyd & Associates wrote a very interesting ‘checklist’ article which was posted on their website earlier this year. Below is her article…certainly ‘checklist’ worthy reading.

As problem-solvers in the financial services industry, we agree that having a checklist is always beneficial. Your bank or credit union is bound by order, processes, regulations, and much more. Accordingly, a roadmap of actions can help you serve the needs of your account holders. They’ll appreciate a logical approach which can help them understand the value of your products and services. And more importantly, it will strengthen your relationships with them and have a positive impact on retention.

The same can be said for a successful and fully-disclosed overdraft program. By answering “Yes” to these three items?and getting to “Yes” for any that remain?your program can contribute more to your initiatives’ success.

1. Has complacency led to non-compliance?
A stagnant regulatory climate or a prolonged period of inactivity or indecisiveness can lead to lax practices, and even abuse. Having an overdraft program with dynamic limits, or changing the transaction posting order may be strategies you’ve considered. Unfortunately, they may not only potentially lead to excessive fees for account holders, but your financial institution could be at greater risk for deceptive practices. Conversely, a fully-disclosed approach protects against deception. Fees are established upfront and are well-communicated to avoid any confusion. Moreover, it discourages your account holders from resorting to higher-priced or even unscrupulous or unregulated alternatives.

2. Are account holders well-informed and do they see value in the service?
If they have never used an overdraft service, they may not even know it exists. Awareness of the program, its accessibility and convenience requires ongoing nurturing. Look no further than the countless studies on consumer behavior. Let’s face it, your account holders often need a gentle reminder about the products and services you offer. By sharing information that speaks to availability, benefits and fees in the most general, but fully-informative terms, account holders are educated so they can make well-informed decisions about their finances. A knowledgeable and helpful staff combined with regular communication breeds overall trust.

3. Does your program take a short-sighted approach to revenue?
Simply raising your overdraft fee is not the solution. While this may lead to a spike in near-term performance, it is often accompanied by account holder resentment or abandonment. Instead, offering a transparent, fully-disclosed overdraft program at a reasonable rate can produce improvements in both revenue and account holder satisfaction. Value in the form of reasonably-priced, user-friendly products and services is the better solution.

When it comes to evaluating your overdraft program, hopefully these “must-haves” will be on your checklist.